Okinawa's landowners claim invalidity of U.S. Forces' forcible land use

In Okinawa Prefecture, eight landowners appealed to the Fukuoka High
Court Naha Branch on December 13 concerning a district court ruling that the
revised Law on Special Measures for Land for the U.S. Military is
constitutional, thereby allowing their lands to be continue to be used for
U.S. bases.

The eight landowners, including Yomitan Village Assembly Member Chibana
Shoichi, sued the government, claiming that the use of their land is illegal
because it neglected necessary constitutional procedures. They are demanding
that the government pay them compensation.

The Naha District Court ruled that the revised law is constitutional but
ordered the government to pay about 480,000 yen to Chibana in compensation.

The government also appealed to the Fukuoka High Court dispute this
district court judgment.

The Law on Special Measures was enacted in 1952 to enable the Japanese
government to lease private land to U.S. bases. Under the law, the
government needed to go through complicated procedures to lease land.

In 1997 when the government tried to renew lease contracts with about
3,000 landowners, many of them refused to do so because they were angered by
the atrocious crimes frequently committed by U.S. soldiers in Okinawa.

The government revised the law in order to make it easier for the
government to lease private land even when their owners refuse. (end)